Australian authorities have seized 18 shipments of child sex dolls – some of which resemble children as young as five.

The dolls – mostly produced in the far east – are ‘anatomically correct’ and are believed by some to be valuable tools to keep paedophiles from offending by giving them an outlet for their ‘urges’.

However the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection said the dolls are illegal as they are considered child exploitation material, reportsThe Mirror.

Shin Takagi

Penalties for importing the dolls include fines of up to $450,000 (£268,000) and 10 years’ imprisonment but despite them being banned in 2013, Australian customs workers are continuing to see the sex dolls arrive in the country.

Japanese manufacturers claim the dolls can be used to help paedophiles control their sexual urges.

According to the founder of one doll manufacturer – and self-confessed paedophile – Shin Takagi, the creations help channel ‘desires’ away from real children.